Day 2–God is watching!
Scripture reading for March 3: 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.” Psalm 33:18-19 “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.”
There are between eight and nine billion people alive now on the earth. Scripture teaches us that God knows each person by name. He even knows all their thoughts and the number of hairs on their head. God takes delight in people who are made in His image and likeness, especially those who honor Him as Lord and trust Him for righteousness.
Today’s verses declare that God’s eyes are in continual motion, scanning the hearts of men. He is looking for those who are blameless towards Him. But Scripture also declares that there are no righteous people, not even one! So how can anyone be ‘blameless’ towards God? It is by faith in Jesus Christ that we are declared to be blameless. (Romans 3:22-25) This is a gift given to all who believe and trust God’s cleansing us from sin by the blood shed by His Son. God is just in that He provided the sacrifice of His Son to pay for sin and is now able to justify those who by faith accept that payment.
It is comforting to know that God is watching us to determine how He might help us and support us. As a faith responder we can have strong confidence that God is with us. He has given us His Holy Spirit to be with us always, revealing God’s wisdom and counsel in each incident. Even in dry times, He will provide life-giving refreshment in the midst of famine. He knows your name and needs and will be honored if we call on Him for help! (Psalm 50:15)
Prayer: Father God, thank You for watching over all believers. I am encouraged to be reminded of this truth as I face each day and the dry times in life’s journey. Help me start each day acknowledging Your great love and concern with a thankful heart. I rest in Your provision for my blamelessness in Jesus. Amen.
Week 10–Day 1–Trusting God for Outcomes
Scripture reading for March 2: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” Isaiah 46:10-11 “‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose,’
Each day we responders need to remind ourselves Who is in control of that day and the steps that we will take. God has plans and purposes for each person individually as well as plans for nations and people groups. He is the only One Who knows all that has happened, all that is now happening, and what will happen in the future.
God has written down His counsel in the form of the Holy Scriptures that those who trust in Him may know His plans and purposes. Today’s Scripture from Psalm 33 calls all the righteous to praise, thanksgiving and rejoicing because of God’s amazing love and faithfulness to all earth’s inhabitants. By His amazing Word, He created the heavens and earth. He is in control of all creation and watches over the ‘children of man’ and knows their hearts and sees all their deeds coming from their heart. (Psalm 33:13-15) Some are trusting in their strength or position of authority to save them. God says He will frustrate their plans. But God’s children trust in Him alone and His unfailing love. Because of their faith, they wait on the Lord in joyful expectation that He is working everything out according to the counsel of His will, for His plans are secure forever!
As responders we must trust God each day for wisdom and direction to do our jobs with excellence and proficiency. But we must not just trust in our own wisdom and ability or even knowledge of the situation. God is working out His plans and the outcomes are ultimately in His capable hands. We need to be reminded often of these truths as we work with those facing injury, disease, or death.
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for giving me counsel today to depend on You for everything in each situation I will encounter today. I surrender my will and abilities to Your purposes and plans. I trust You to work all things after the counsel of Your amazing will to love and save. Amen.
Video Responder Highlight–week 9–
Jefferson County Sheriff Deputy Tim Bacon–Courage to face danger
Day 5–Courage to face uncertainty
Scripture reading for February 27: Mark 10: 32-34 “And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priest and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days, He will rise.””
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is leading His disciples on the road to Jerusalem and Jesus has been telling them plainly what would happen to Him there. As they walked on the road, the disciples had mixed emotions of amazement about Jesus rising from the dead and fear of His predicted mocking and death. As we put ourselves into their shoes, we can understand the uncertainty that they felt. They had followed Jesus and loved to be with Him. Each day had been an adventure in encountering uncertainty and difficulties and Jesus had amazed them with His Words and supernatural ability. But facing His death brought new fears.
As we look at our lives as first responders, we face uncertainty nearly every time we are called out. We may have a general idea of the troubles, but there are always unknown variables that could prove dangerous or even fatal to others or to us. As a believer, this passage of Scripture helps me in several ways. First of all, it is natural to have some fear of the unknown and dangerous situations. The disciples were afraid but still followed Jesus. This shows me that if I am following Jesus, He has every situation under control and knows exactly what will happen and the desired results. Following Jesus takes the burden off of me to know everything and be in total control. Even if I struggle to understand Jesus instructions, I can trust that He will be patient with me and lead me through to victory!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to be my Lord and Counselor Who is always with me. I invite You to lead me into each incident and give me courage to serve You. I believe that You will work everything out for good because You love me. Amen.
Day 4–Courage to Keep Forgiving
Scripture reading for February 26: Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
A central teaching of Jesus Christ concerned forgiveness of sins. Man’s greatest need is forgiveness of sins and Jesus Christ’s primary message of the Good News was that through Him, sin could be forgiven. Jesus’ disciples struggled to understand forgiveness. Part of their religious training concerned equal retribution for offences. If someone poked out your eye, you could get even and poke out his eye. Jesus instead taught that if we expected God to forgive us our sins, we must forgive others their sins against us. All vengeance belonged to God, since only He knows all about each person and He alone can judge justly.
Peter, a disciple of Jesus, asked Jesus about how many times he should forgive someone who sinned against him. He suggested that seven times might be a generous number. But Jesus responded with something much greater–“seventy-seven times.” Some translations say ‘seventy times seven.’ The whole point is that forgiveness is the proper decision towards those who have offended you or did you wrong.
As first responders, we must work with others on most of our calls. There are always those who offend. These may be fellow responders or even the people that we were called to help. We should never keep score in order to get even or to repay in kind. Jesus’ gave us the ultimate demonstration of forgiveness when from the cross He cried, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) This prayer was directed to those who had crucified Him and falsely accused Him. He laid down His life that all might receive forgiveness and demonstrated God’s generous grace.
Prayer: Father God, like Peter, I sometimes count how many times I have forgiven and think I have been generous. Forgive me and teach me how to have the courage to forgive others every time I am offended or wronged. I trust You to have mercy on them and me. Amen.
Day 3–Courage to Confess Jesus as Lord
Scripture reading for February 25: Matthew 25:28-32“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father Who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father Who is in heaven.”
A common fear in all mankind is a concern for what others think. But Scripture teaches that the fear of man is a snare. (Proverbs 29:25) Jesus taught His disciples not to fear men or their positions of power or opinions. Even rulers who have the authority to take your life are not to be a source of fear. They can only kill the body but have no power to sentence you to eternal punishment.
The only ones we are to fear is God our Father and Jesus His Son. These hold our lives in Their hands and our eternal destiny depends on Their mercy and grace. If we hold this to be truth, then we should not be ashamed to declare our trust. Jesus plainly stated to His disciples that everyone who would confess faith in Him before men, He would confess before His Father in heaven. On the contrary, if we deny faith in Jesus then He will deny us before His Father in heaven.
As first responders who trust in Jesus, our first responsibility and priority in our life is our relationship with our Lord. But in a secular culture, we must be wise in how we conduct ourselves and in our speech. We should first seek to live a life of humility and serving others in such a way as to demonstrate Christ’s love and character. Our speech and attitude should be free from vulgarity and gossip. We should be ready to share the reason for our hope and joy, never denying Jesus as Lord. (1 Peter 3:15)
Prayer: Father God, I never want to deny You before men. Forgive me for sometimes having a fear of man concerning the sharing of my faith. Open doors for me to share my faith by displaying in me Your love and compassion and joy and hope. Amen.
Day 2–Courage Runs to Danger
Scripture reading for February 24: 1 Samuel 17:48-49 “When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.”
The story of the young shepherd boy David facing the Philistine warrior giant has always captured my imagination. I was smaller and often picked on. My mom told me this story and I could picture this battle in my mind every time. David came out to visit his brothers and bring them food and supplies as they served in the Israelite army. There was a standoff for forty days as Goliath the giant taunted the Israelites to send out a man to fight him. King Saul was a bigger man himself, standing head and shoulders above his fellow Israelites, but fear gripped all the fighting men and not one offered to fight the giant.
David saw the situation and inquired about the reward for taking on the giant. He was mocked by his brothers, but Saul offered David his armor. David tried it on, but decided to use his trusty sling and some smooth stones. They faced one another with the opposing armies watching with apprehension. How could a young shepherd boy defeat a seasoned warrior? David stated his goal, bringing down Goliath and removing his head. He ran to the task, sling loaded and made ready, Goliath laughing. One stone and the giant fell to the ground. David took Goliath’s sword and finished him off.
Every incident that we are called to respond to must be faced with courage and faith. David knew that God was with Him and has taught him to use his sling to face down bears and lions. Our past experience of success and ability to step up and run to danger should help us more each time. God will prove faithful to teach us how to use what we have to defeat the largest giant or mocking enemy.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for running to the danger of death on a cross to purchase my freedom from fear of death or defeat. Gird me with Your courage to face each incident as David did when he ran to meet Goliath in confidence of God giving strength and victory. Amen.
Week 9–Day 1– Courage Through Faith
Scripture reading for February 23: Joshua 1:8-9 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
It has been said that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to do what is right in spite of fear. God had placed Joshua in leadership in Israel because he had demonstrated faith and courage as one of the twelve spies. Joshua believed that God had given the Israelites the land of promise and that they could take it in spite of obvious opposition from armed occupants already there. Now Moses had died and Joshua was called by God to lead the nation. God reminded Joshua that He would be with him as He had been with Moses. He promised Joshua that if He would meditate on God’s laws and speak them out of his mouth in faith, he would have prosperity and success. None of the armed forces in the land would be able to stand against him.
It is interesting to note that God reminded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed. Fear and fretting go together and are opposed to faith and courage. But God knew that if Joshua would meditate on His Word and apply it in faith, that courage and conquering would naturally take place. God would watch over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) Faith is a decision of the will to believe God’s Word.
As first responders, we must develop faith and courage in order to effectively do our job of helping those in need. An assurance that we are not alone, but that God is with us gives us courage. Knowledge of God’s Word and promises helps us to be bold and calm in approaching danger. Have you declared your faith in God and are you meditating on His Word and speaking it?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your promise of continually being with us as Your children. Thank You for Your amazing Word that brings faith when heard and courage to act in times of danger. Amen.
Day 5–Abiding in Jesus
Scripture reading for February 20: John 15:4-5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers, and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.”
Jesus instructed His team of disciples using analogies. In this passage He used the example of a grape vine. He was the trunk of that vine and supported the branches. The branches, as they remained attached to the vine, produced fruit. This was the mission and purpose of the vine, to produce fruit for the Father that would bless His kingdom. The vine was kept by a vine dresser-God the Father. (John 15:1) If branches died or were unfruitful, He would prune them off and throw them in the fire, as they were good for nothing else. Their purpose was never to be fulfilled–that of fruitfulness and blessing.
Likewise, disciples of Jesus must stay attached in daily relationship with their Master. They would abide in Him, and He in them through His teaching and the Father’s Gift of the Holy Spirit. As they remained in vital relationship, under the Father’s watchful eyes, they would produce fruit that would bring glory to God the Father. If they neglected their attachment, they would eventually be pruned away and tossed into the fire. This teaching used a plain illustration that brought ‘pruning’ to the branches!
As first responders, we can also learn from this example. Each department and leader has communicated standards of behavior and attendance required for doing the job effectively. We must ‘abide’ by these stated standards and willingly submit to them and seek to live by them. Some examples include wearing seatbelts when in vehicles, using prescribed safety vests and procedures when working incidents or accidents. When responding to a fire, our goal is to save human lives if possible as well as protecting our own ability to help. We submit to the incident commander and follow his instructions.
Prayer: Father, thank You for providing our source of fruitfulness in Jesus Christ. Help me abide in Him and produce much fruit! Amen.
Day 4–Powerful Communications
Scripture reading for February 19: Romans 8:26-28“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He Who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the perfect will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
A key to effective response to any incident is in effective communications. The hurting person must be able to communicate their need and location through the emergency communications network for that region. The emergency dispatcher must contact the available responders and send them the information in a timely manner. The responders must communicate back to the dispatcher their time of departure, equipment or vehicle, and estimated time of arrival. Upon arrival, they notify the dispatcher and after sizing up the situation, call with updated information and possibly request other assistance or equipment.
As faith responders, we are often called into God’s service as the opportunity or need presents itself. As today’s Scripture states, we are often feeling weakness or a lack of understanding about what God is doing or is wanting us to do in our response. We have the ability to talk directly to God through prayer, asking Him for directions and wisdom. In our weakness, sometimes we do not even know what to ask. God has made provision for all His people through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can allow the Spirit of God to pray through us in a spiritual language that communicates with God according to His perfect will. We act in faith when we allow the Spirit to help us. What a blessing it is to know that God is listening to us and helps us in our ability to pray effectively!
We are never alone or without timely communication with God through His Gift of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever been in a situation where you did not know what to do to help or assist? As a believer in Jesus, have you ever asked the Spirit to help you to pray? Today is a good time to invite the Spirit to help! (Luke 11: 9-13) God wants to empower us to communicate clearly!